WHAT'S MAKING YOU PUT ON WEIGHT?

We generally associate weight gain with eating too much. But there could be other reasons of gaining weight, even when one is exercising regularly and eating healthily.Some of the reasons are as under :-

CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN

Medical Condition
For many people the cause of their weight gain is medical. It could be that there is an underlying medical problem such as Diabetes or another serious illness. There are many more medical reasons for weight gain than most people realize. Thyroid problems are often cited as a reason for excessive weight, it can often be a contributing factor to weight gain as it regulates the body’s metabolism. Some sources have speculated that as many as 10% of women may have thyroid trouble to a certain degree. Other medical conditions such as menopause and other hormonal imbalances can have a serious impression on weight over time.
Certain medications are also responsible for weight gain. The contraceptive pill, depression medication, steroids and similar medications can lead to putting on weight. Other medications can also cause weight gain. So if someone has recently started new medication it is always best to speak the doctor first to see if that is the problem.

Lack of Essential Fats
Not all fats are bad and foods such as fish and olive oil contain these essential fats that our bodies need. These fats, often known as Omega-3 fats are found in fish and can lower cholesterol and reduce the risks of arthritis and other joint problems. It is recommended that at most 33% of our calorie intake is fat, and no more than 10% of our calories should be from saturated fats because of the increased health risks such as increased cholesterol from eating too much “bad” fats. If diet lacks these beneficial fats then one may end up having cravings for fatty foods, and that is when one gives in and gains weight.

Food Allergies

Another common cause of weight gain can include allergies to certain foods. The most common food allergies tend to be dairy and nuts. Obviously some food allergies can be deadly but in many cases the foods just make you gain weight and feel a little nauseous.

Quitting Smoking
Many people who are trying to quit smoking notice that their weight goes up when they do so. Often this is because of replacing the cigarettes with snacks, but there are other reasons as well. Smoking actually burns calories, up to 200 calories a day in a heavy smoker. In addition, it also suppresses the appetite so a smoker feels less hungry. As cigarettes are a stimulant and burn calories, smoking can actually speed up the rate of metabolism somewhat too, so when one quits smoking to weight gain is likely side effect.

Emotional Reasons
We eat when we are stressed, angry, bored, depressed, frustrated, busy, feeling low etc. Food can often be a great comforter. Unfortunately, it is usually the ‘bad’ foods that we reach for to make us feel better. Comfort eating is only one way that your emotions can contribute to an increase in weight.

Menopause


The menopause is a difficult time in any woman’s life, and one symptom that is very common for women is weight gain- particularly around the waist and hips. The changes in hormone levels are not the only cause of weight gain during this period of our lives, ageing can lead to weight gain in both men and women. As we age, our metabolism slows down, and our digestive system can have more difficulty in processing our food correctly. Some studies show regular runners in good health would have to run an additional 1.4 miles per week every year to combat the changes in their metabolic rate. Due to changes in metabolic rate and the tendency of the body to lose muscle mass and increase fatty tissue with age makes it an uphill struggle to maintain usual weight with age.

Stress
Stress hormones, such as Cortisol can block weight loss, and even contribute to weight gain.
The body can sometimes interpret stress in any form (whether it is emotional, physical, or even diet-related) as a ‘famine’ state. When this happens, the body automatically turns as many calories as it can into fat, even if you are dieting.

The above are just a few reasons why one may be gaining weight. Some other reasons to put on weight are as under:-

• Pregnancy, Recent childbirth - retaining weight after giving birth is common.

• High-fat diet High-carbohydrate, diet Excessive snacking, reduced exercise level.


• Sedentary lifestyle, reduced exercise or activity level.


• Reaction to prior dieting.


• Depressive disorders - some people eat more with depression or depressive disorders (some people eat less and lose weight instead).


• Compulsive eating.


• Genetic tendency to obesity